Hi everyone:
We would like to go to Las Vegas with the kids in the summer (july august) Are we crazy? I love the venetian but the mirage and MGM grand show great pools. Thinking of the heat, what is the best pool for kids 7 and 9? What about day trips to Grand Canyon? Rent a car and drive or do a plane tour? Love to hear ideas and opinions...

the only vacation we've ever taken with our kids that we regretted was our trip to Vegas. It's just not a fun for them...it's an adult place. They get shooed out of many of the public areas, etc. My kids didn't enjoy it at all...
July/August will be extremely hot. I'd pick the pool w/ the most shade, because otherwise laying out by the pool won't be any fun.
I urge you to think about somewhere else if you want this to be a fun family vacation...
Vegas is great for a fun adult weekend but it's not family friendly.

I agree with Frankie. Some adults will swear by bringing their kids to Las Vegas - but the hey day of "family friendly" Las Vegas was over several years ago. Now the emphasis is really on adult entertainment - in all its various forms.

As the others have said, I would not advise bringing kids to Vegas. The summer heat in Vegas is BRUTAL! It is usually well over 100 degrees every day, and it only dips into the 80s in the middle of the night. With kids, it is very difficult to even walk the Strip, as they can't duck into a casino to cool off like adults can! About the only thing that they are allowed to do is the pools, and some hotels now even have adults-only pools, too.

It is unbearably hot in Las Vegas in the summer. It is like standing right next to a blast furnace. The heat is incredibly draining.

Again, this is my opinion, but yes, it is crazy to consider a family vacation to Las Vegas in the summer.

Hi lisa--not sure what you want an opinion on, but here goes--having been to Vegas at that time of year, I would re-think taking (relatively) young children. It is hard enough for an adult to stay hydrated in that (IMO) unbearable heat, and I would not risk it w/kids. There are so many great places that are more family and climate friendly--Sorry if this is not what you meant when you asked for opinions!!

I end up in Las Vegas once in awhile for business and I always wonder why people insist on bringing kids there. (I suspect the real reason is they want to go and can't get a sitter.)

I'm not exactly a Puritan, but really, is Las Vegas the atmosphere you want to promote to a 7 and 9 year old?

Here are some interesting pieces from articles about Las Vegas:

Beyond the Velvet Rope
3 January 2006
by Liz Benston
“Nightclubs are, in fact, the new headliners in a city defined by its decadent entertainment, and part of a shift toward adult fare.
In 2004, Caesars Palace closed its eight-year-old, family-friendly Magical Empire, a dinner theater featuring magic acts and toga-wearing hosts, in favor of a 36,000-square-foot, $14 million nightclub, Pure. It targets a decidedly different and more freewheeling audience.
And when the city's longest-running headliner act -- "Siegfried & Roy" -- ended its magical run at the Mirage after a tiger mauled Roy Horn, the resort turned not to another G-rated headliner but to free-spending young adults who like to dance until dawn. The hotel just opened Jet, a 15,000-square-foot nightclub. “

Las Vegas turns luck into fortune. When one business plan fails, another is written.
By John W. Schoen, Senior Producer
MSNBC
Updated: 3:57 p.m. ET May 2, 2005

“Today, the city’s tourism industry has returned to its roots with its latest promotional campaign. Family-friendly is out, sex and sin are in: The new ads assure visitors that ‘What happens here, stays here.’ “

Take your kids camping or something they'll love. Even a car trip around the Grand Canyon, stopping at all the Indian ruins, might be fun.

THANK YOU ALL! Yes, this is exactly what I wanted when I asked for ideas. I had spent time in Las Vegas about 3 years ago and was so impressed about how many thing there were for kids to do. I hadn't been back since. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply with advice. Now-thinking about a different trip.....

Why not fly into Las Vegas, stay for one night, and then head to Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon National Parks.

We did that with 2 teenagers 2 years ago - great trip, and the 12 hours we spent in Las Vegas was plenty.

I agree with Frankie. We took our kids to Vegas for one night in July, enroute to Lake Powell. It was fine for one night, but way too hot to do anything. Even sitting by the pool was only tolerable for a while. I would not take them again. Vegas just is not a kid place.

Lake Powell, on the other hand was fabulous. We rented a house boat. Just a thought.

Although to give another point of view, you could check out Lake Las Vegas! I have not been but have friends who loved it with their small children! They went to the pool every day and that was their main activity. There are great specials to be had in the summer because of the heat and it is away from the strip so you aren't in the think of the "sin" aspect of the city.

They brought their Mom with them so they could go out to dinner two of the nights.

I don't think Las Vegas has to be an automatic "no" for kids if the parents, and it sounds like you are, make sure that the kids are the focus.

I take you you have decided against Las Vegas. I agree with Gail. Why not make it a one night stay and enjoy the beautiful national parks in the area.

I would NOT suggest the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas. It's a 5 hour drive...one way! It does make a great stop on a circle tour of the area. Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion and then back to Las Vegas makes a wonderful circle tour for children and adults.

Utahtea